Duolingo English Test for College Admissions? A Step-by-Step Guide for Language Proficiency

Most of us have Duolingo installed on our phones. But did you know that Duolingo also has an English Language Test, which can be used for college admissions? The learning app has been a prominent part of our popular culture thanks to Duolingo’s playful brand persona and quirky social media strategy. You will be surprised that Duolingo can be used as a legitimate English Language Test for top universities like the University of Toronto, Yale, NYU, and the London School of Business. In this step-by-step guide, let’s learn about the Duolingo English Test (DET) for English Proficiency. 

What is Duolingo English Test (DET)?

The DET is a computer-adaptive, one-hour-long English language test. Students can take it at home and receive the results in two days. According to the Duolingo website, the test is admissible in over 6,000 institutions worldwide.  

Students can access the test on the Duolingo website through a purchase. It takes five minutes to set up. The adaptive test is 45 minutes long, and the written and speaking samples take 10 minutes. In all, the test will last one hour.  The scores are on a scale of 10-160. 

Duolingo positions the DET as a “fast, flexible testing for today’s students.” 

What is the Duolingo English Test used for?  

The primary use of the test is to check the student’s English proficiency for employment purposes and studies. Countries like the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and many others have been accepting DET scores.  

Students can send the score directly to the institution as part of the application process. 

The score can be sent directly to the institution as part of the application process. 

How to Take the Duolingo English Test (Eligibility and Registration)

You can register for the DET from home using your computer or laptop on the Duolingo website. Here are the steps: 

• Create an account or log in to your existing account.
• Input your personal information like name, date of birth and photo
• Buy the test 
• Verify your government ID 
• Verify your system 
• Take the test
• Wait 48 hours for results
• Send the results directly to the universities 

You need: 

• A front-facing camera
• Steady internet connection
• Microphone
• Speakers
• Compatible browser

Ensure that you are in a well-lit room. The exam is entirely online and comprises reading, writing, listening, and speaking sections. It also includes a video interview and a writing sample review.  

What is the Eligibility Criteria to Take DET? 

DET doesn’t ask for any academic prerequisites. You can take the test irrespective of your academic background.  

There is also no age limit. If the test taker is under 13, then DET may require parental consent.  

The only requirement is a government ID with a photograph. This could include your Aadhar card, passport, driver’s license, etc.

What are the Benefits of Duolingo English Test? 

Duolingo English Test Price 

DET is cheaper than TOEFL and IELTS. Where TOEFL costs Rs ₹16,900 and IELTS costs 18,000, DET only costs Rs 6,000 at most.  

For a third of the cost, DET is one of the cheapest and effective English Language Test that can rival TOEFL and IELTS. 

Convenience 

DET is a fully online exam that can be taken at your convenience as long as you have a computer or laptop, microphone, browser, webcam and an internet connection. 

It gets done in an hour and is time efficient, unlike TOEFL and IELTS. It also provides you the test results in 48 hours with an option to get early results in just 12 hours. 

It also allows you to take the test from home, without having to visit a test centre.  

More importantly, it allows you to send your test scores to universities directly without having to pay additional charges for the same. 

Global Acceptance 

DET is accepted in over 6000 universities worldwide. More and more employers across the globe are using it to test the language proficiency of their employees. 

Enhanced User Experience 

The DET interface is a clutter-free one that doesn’t overwhelm the test taker. In 2025, it underwent significant improvements to its interface to enhance user experience. It has simplified navigation, interactive methods to track progress, enhanced readability and interactive screen to mention a few. 

How to Prepare for DET 

Preparing for DET is made easy through Duolingo’s free and paid practice tests and preparation guides. 

Apart from that, test takers should focus on reading, writing and speaking skills the way they would prepare for TOEFL and IELTS. 

Practise speaking on impromptu topics with a friend or a fellow student. This will help with fluency and reduce anxiety on the day of the exam. 

Improve your writing by articulating your thoughts, writing descriptive passages on photographs or practising on free online writing exercises. 

It’s highly recommended that you practise under time constraints to mimic the test environment. Only then will you be able to handle the mental pressure of taking the test.  

Frequently Asked Questions 

Where can I take the Duolingo English Test? 

The Duolingo English Test or DET can be taken anywhere at your convenience. As long as you have a functional computer or laptop, microphone, camera, steady internet connection and a well-lit room, you can take the test at the place of your choice. There is no requirement to be present at a test centre.  

How long does it take to get Duolingo results? 

One of the salient features of the Duolingo English Test (DET) is that it gives you the results quickly in 48 hours. Students who want the results sooner can opt for the “Faster Results” option by paying an additional fee. In such cases, you can get the test results in 12 hours. 

How Long Are Duolingo Scores Valid? 

Duolingo scores are valid for up to 2 years from the date of the test taking. The score will expire after that and you may have to take a fresh test. While you can view the results, the expired test scores cannot be accepted by universities or employers.  

Duolingo, IELTS or TOEFL: Which is better? 

Choosing from DET, IELTS or TOEFL depends on multiple factors and one doesn’t make the other better automatically; however, DET has several advantages that IELTS and TOEFL don’t doesn’toffer. DET can be taken at home in a convenient environment. It is also cheaper than IELTS and TOEFL. It is widely accepted and is considered easier than the other two language proficiency tests. Given these advantages, it’s easy to think that DET is better than IELTS and TOEFL.